CLEAN DC Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2687
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-02: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T16:11:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill, titled the "Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act" or "CLEAN DC Act," aims to repeal a 2022 local law passed by the District of Columbia (D.C.) Council that reformed policing and justice practices in the district. By doing so, it seeks to restore the previous legal framework for law enforcement and criminal justice in D.C.
Key Provisions
- Repeal of Specific D.C. Law: The bill directly repeals D.C. Law 24-345, known as the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
- Restoration of Prior Laws: Any sections of D.C. law that were changed, amended, or repealed by the 2022 Act would be automatically restored to their original state, as if the 2022 Act had never been passed.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This federal legislation would override and nullify a locally enacted D.C. law, effectively reversing reforms introduced in 2022 related to policing standards, officer accountability, and justice system procedures (though the bill itself does not detail those reforms).
- It introduces no new policies but reinstates the pre-2022 legal status quo for D.C.'s policing and justice framework.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and other local justice agencies would revert to operating under older rules, potentially simplifying enforcement but removing recent accountability measures. Federal oversight of D.C. affairs could increase, as Congress asserts authority over local laws.
- On Citizens: D.C. residents, particularly those involved in or affected by policing interactions, might experience changes in how complaints against officers are handled or how arrests and prosecutions are conducted, shifting back to pre-reform practices.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic matter focused on U.S. local governance.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- D.C. Government and Council: Local lawmakers lose the effects of their 2022 reforms, highlighting limits on D.C.'s autonomy.
- Law Enforcement Personnel: D.C. police officers and related staff may see altered duties, training, or disciplinary processes.
- D.C. Residents and Communities: Individuals in D.C., especially marginalized groups who may have benefited from the 2022 reforms (e.g., enhanced civilian oversight of police), could face renewed concerns about accountability.
- Federal Lawmakers: Sponsors (e.g., Senators Cruz, Risch, Lee, Tuberville, Budd, and Cornyn) and Congress as a whole, exercising control over D.C. under federal law.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Under the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973, Congress retains the power to review and repeal D.C. laws within 30 days of enactment; this bill exercises that authority retroactively, potentially setting a precedent for federal intervention in local matters. It raises questions about the balance of local self-governance versus congressional oversight.
- Political: The bill, introduced by Republican senators and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, reflects partisan divides on policing reforms, but it focuses solely on repeal without proposing alternatives. If enacted, it could influence debates on federalism and urban policy in non-state jurisdictions like D.C.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-02: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-09-02: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act — issued 2025-09-02 — PDF (2 pages)